The ABC's Of Children's Mental Health

The U.S. Surgeon General's 2000 Report on Children's Mental Health estimates that one in five children and adolescents will experience a significant mental-health problem during their school years. While the family is the primary source of support for a child's mental health, the increased stress and fracturing of today's life make it imperative that schools work with parents. With the help of school-based mental-health professionals, principals can develop and initiate a number of strategies designed to protect children by establishing their long-term capacity for positive behavior, social competency, academic achievement, and emotional well-being. Such strategies include fostering a sense of belonging, helping children adapt to change, accentuating the positive, and strengthening children's resiliency. A list of disorder symptoms is presented so educators can contact a mental-health professional should these signs occur. It is recommended that educators educate themselves on types and symptoms of mental-health problems, develop procedures for addressing potential problems, and'utilize community Mental-health resources and provide their names and numbers to parents. The brief concludes with one principal's description of her proactive approach to promoting students' psychological well-being, "You Do Whatever It Takes" (DeLanna Lacy). (RT)